Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, unfurling the Tricolour and addressing the nation amid celebrations centred on Yuva Shakti, Vande Mataram and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
This year’s ceremony carried particular significance as India marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s iconic song that became closely associated with the country’s freedom movement.
PM Modi calls Vande Mataram moment ‘historic’
Highlighting the significance of the song being rendered during the Independence Day ceremony, Modi said it was a historic occasion.
“For everyone present at this ceremony today, this is also a historic moment. For the first time since Independence, Vande Mataram is echoing from the Red Fort on August 15,” the Prime Minister said.
The celebrations featured performances centred on Vande Mataram, underlining the song’s connection with India’s freedom struggle.
Modi pays tribute to freedom fighters
After unfurling the national flag, Modi paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India’s independence.
He remembered Mahatma Gandhi, whom he referred to as “revered Bapu”, along with revolutionaries who inspired generations during the freedom movement.
“The country today remembers with reverence those great sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of the nation,” Modi said.
“With freedom as the sole objective, they devoted their entire lives to sacrifice and struggle,” he added.
The Prime Minister also saluted the freedom fighters and revolutionaries whose sacrifices, he said, continue to inspire the country.
13th consecutive Independence Day address from Red Fort
Saturday’s address marked Modi’s 13th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.
The Prime Minister had earlier greeted the nation and recalled the aspirations of those who fought for independence, while linking their dreams to India’s ongoing development journey.
The celebrations this year also placed a strong emphasis on Yuva Shakti, or the strength and potential of India’s young population, as well as the country’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
21-gun salute, performances and thousands of guests
The ceremony included the unfurling of the national flag and a 21-gun salute.
Around 2,500 Army, Navy and Air Force cadets, along with My Bharat volunteers, participated in the celebrations. Thousands of special guests from different walks of life were also present at the Red Fort.
The 80th Independence Day celebrations combined traditional ceremonial elements with performances highlighting Vande Mataram and the country’s journey towards the 2047 vision of Viksit Bharat.
